Supporting B.C. Tech to Help Reduce Lightning-Ignited Wildfires

The British Columbia government is investing up to $1 million in Vancouver-based Skyward Wildfire Technologies to conduct a field trial of its lightning-caused wildfire prediction and reduction technology. This initiative, delivered through Innovate BC’s Integrated Marketplace program, aims to address the leading cause of wildfires in the province, where lightning accounted for 70% of ignitions and 97% of burned area in 2024. For the public safety technology sector, this project represents a significant advancement in proactive disaster mitigation by testing AI-enabled forecasting and intervention tools in real-world operational environments.

Skyward Wildfire Technologies is receiving up to $1 million to assess its proprietary AI-enabled forecasting and intervention technology designed to reduce cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. In 2024, lightning was responsible for 70% of wildfire ignitions and 97% of the total area burned in British Columbia, making this a critical area for public safety innovation. The funding, provided through the Province’s Integrated Marketplace program and delivered by Innovate BC, supports the field trial to determine if the technology can effectively lower the frequency of these ignitions while protecting communities and critical infrastructure.

The BC Wildfire Service will play a central role in the trial by assessing whether Skyward’s technology meets the necessary operational standards for wildfire prevention in the province. This project is the first approved under the Forestry Innovation and Emergency Management Testbed, which was established to generate data and insights that could eventually be implemented province-wide. CEO Sam Goldman noted that the trial allows the company to evaluate its approach in real-world conditions, providing wildfire agencies with additional tools to manage risk on high-consequence days as part of broader preparedness efforts.

This initiative aligns with the B.C. government’s Look West strategy, which seeks to grow local tech sectors like AI and emergency management while creating resilient communities. Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon and Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar emphasized that the investment helps de-risk the adoption of new technologies for industry customers while supporting economic growth. Local organizations, including Kamloops Fire Rescue and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, have expressed support for the project, highlighting the potential for early detection and improved safety for firefighting crews as wildfire seasons become increasingly complex.